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Pilot community‐mobilization program reduces maternal and perinatal mortality and prevents obstetric fistula in Niger
Author(s) -
Seim Anders R.,
Alassoum Zeidou,
Bronzan Rachel N.,
Mainassara Abderhamane Alou,
Jacobsen Judith L.,
Gali Yaroh Asma
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.06.016
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , community mobilization , pregnancy , fistula , confidence interval , obstetric transition , maternal morbidity , population , surgery , maternal health , environmental health , genetics , political science , law , biology , health services
Abstract Objective To assess the impact of a pilot community‐mobilization program on maternal and perinatal mortality and obstetric fistula in Niger. Methods In the program, village volunteers identify and evacuate women with protracted labor, provide education, and collect data on pregnancies, births, and deaths. These data were used to calculate the reduction in maternal mortality, perinatal mortality, and obstetric fistula in the program area from July 2008 to June 2011. Results The birth‐related maternal mortality fell by 73.0% between years 1 and 3 ( P < 0.001), from 630 (95% confidence interval [CI] 448–861) to 170 (95% CI 85–305) deaths per 100 000 births. Early perinatal mortality fell by 61.5% ( P < 0.001), from 35 (95% CI 31–40) to 13 (95% CI 10–16) deaths per 1000 births. No deaths due to obstructed labor were reported after the lead‐in period (February to June 2008). Seven cases of community‐acquired fistula were reported between February 2008 and July 2009; from August 2009 to June 2011 (23 months; 12 254 births), no cases were recorded. Conclusion Community mobilization helped to prevent obstetric fistula and birth‐related deaths of women and infants in a large, remote, resource‐poor area.